Roasted Beet Chips + Remembering My Mom

Things have been a little quiet around the blog lately. My goal had been to unplug a bit over the holidays and soak in every moment of Brighton’s first Christmas and enjoy our time with family. And that happened. But then some other things happened, too. I’ve sat down to write this post several times a day for the past 3-4 days, trying to find the words to say, avoiding the hurt that comes with recounting it all.

Many of you may already know, but for those who do not, Tuesday, January 5th, I said goodbye to my beloved Mama. She has been and always will be one of the greatest loves of my life. After more than two years of battling, the Lord took her home that afternoon. For those who have lost a parent or a loved one, you know the ache I feel, and understand the tears that stream down my face as I write these words.

To watch someone you love so very much die slowly has to be one of the most excruciating pains one can experience. In many ways I have mourned my mom for a long time. It’s been more than two years since I could call and chat with her the way we used to, or hug her neck while she hugged my waist and tried to pick me up. It’s been so long since I greeted her with “Hey Mama” and heard her reply “Hey Ba-bae”, not because she was one for pet names, or someone who called everyone sweetie or baby, but because I’m her youngest, her baby.

When she got sick, everything happened incredibly quickly. Within a matter of months, everything was stripped away from her at a rapid pace. Her memory, clarity, and decision-making were effected first, along with her speech and gait. Pretty soon she lost her job and we quickly decided it wasn’t safe for her to drive. My dad, sister, and I were so afraid, how could we be losing this woman we love so deeply. But through our ache, we sought doctor after doctor, looking for the cause, trying to find a solution.

Despite all our efforts, despite the many doctors we saw, a solution never came. Eventually, my mom lost all ability to communicate, to walk…to feed herself. We continued various treatments, but nothing seemed to help. We were losing her. We prayed and prayed for the Lord to heal her, and while it wasn’t the healing we were hoping for, she is finally healed. I am beyond thankful that there is not a single doubt in my mind that my mom is in Heaven, perfectly healed, and rejoicing with the angels.

As I said before, I have mourned and grieved to have my mom back for so long. But even knowing our time was limited, nothing prepares you to receive that call, to hear that she’s actually gone. There is still so very much to process and work through. In many ways, I am at peace and full of joy that she is no longer suffering. Unfortunately that doesn’t change the void I feel, or the ache in my heart. Each day is different, some are harder than others.

My mom will forever be the most important woman in my life. So much of who I am is because of who she was. Going through old photos in preparation for the visitation and service with my dad and sister, was in many ways a beautiful blessing. So many wonderful memories and funny stories flooded our minds. I began to remember my mom for who she was, rather than the pain of the past several years. While it seems so unfair that she will not be here to carry on our yearly traditions, to continue making new memories year after year, to be a grandma to Brighton {our five month old}, or to travel and enjoy retirement with my dad, we are so blessed for the time we had with her. And I have every intention of sharing with Brighton my wonderful memories of his grandmother, and ensuring her love and beauty live on through those memories.

For those of you who have walked this journey with us, thank you. Thank you for your love, kindness, and prayers. Please continue praying for us as we sort through these emotions and figure out what to do from here.

So much of my love for cooking and healthy eating came from my mom. From the time I was little she stressed the importance of eating whole foods that fuel our bodies, rather than processed junk. As a kid, I often thought the “junk” would be a whole lot more fun, but the older I got, the more I realized just how right she was. Because of her, I know the value of health, which has forever changed, not only my life, but my husbands and son’s as well.

There are definitely people who do not care for “healthier snacks”, but my mom wasn’t one of them, she always loved trying the things I came up with, and while these Roasted Beet Chips are an easy one, and have certainly been done before, I think it’s safe to say, she would have liked them.

So if you’re in need of a healthy snack to satisfies those salt cravings, add these Roasted Beet Chips to your list of recipes to try.

Benefits of Beets:

High in vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, iron, Vitamins A, B & C, beta-caroten, and folic acid, just to name a few.

They are a wonderful cleanse for the liver, working as a purifier for the blood, which can prevent various forms of cancer

Contain betaine and trytophan, which can help treat depression and lower blood pressure.

High in Fiber, which can help the body feel full and make weight loss easier. High fiber foods can also help lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels, helping to lower risk of heart disease.

Roasted Beet Chips + Remembering My Mom

Recipe Type: Snack

Author: Kaylee Pauley

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 30 mins

Serves: 1-2

These Roasted Beet Chips are a great healthy snack and a breeze to make!